Sports board training device

ABSTRACT

A board training apparatus comprising a platform which has a length, a width, a height, and an upper surface. A convexity is formed in the upper surface. The convexity has a base attached to the upper surface of the platform. The convexity has an upper apical region. In certain embodiments of the apparatus, the base of the convexity comprises pegs which detachably affix or attached into holes formed in the upper surface of the platform. The platform is embodied either as a solid monolith or as a hollow sized for containment of the detached convexity.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/448,111, filed Mar. 1, 2011.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a training device for individuals to acquire balancing abilities, skills and techniques in board-riding sports—snowboarding, skateboarding, wakeboarding, wakeskating, and skiing.

2. Description of the Related Art

Board-riding sports require the individual to posture generally upright on a board's planar surface. The rider frequently adjusts his or her balance to remain upright on the board. The skill required to ride a snowboard is generally similar to riding other boards. In snowboarding, changing directions, itself, requires balance adjustments that alter the snowboard's direction of travel over the surface of the snow's terrain. The edges of the board displace surface as the board travels. The rider balances by applying pressure to the planar surface and edges of the board through the lower extremities.

In board sport training devices, the balancing function is often provided by a fulcrum positioned on the underside of the device. In such devices, the responsiveness of the board to balancing adjustments is influenced by the size and shape of the fulcrum, as well as by whether it is attached to the board and the resiliency of the material from which it is made. A spherical fulcrum allows for full pitch and roll in every direction. However, if the spherical fulcrum is not affixed to the board it is difficult for the user both to mount the board and to retain the board on the fulcrum without the board displacing off of the fulcrum.

Hemispherical fulcrums have also been described in the prior art. For example, both U.S. Pat. No. 5,810,703 (Stack) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,945,920 (Kemery, et al.) disclose training exercise boards with fulcrums which are generally hemispherical and which can be adjusted either to increase or decrease stability. Like spherical fulcrums, a hemispherical fulcrum allows for full pitch and roll. A number of devices have been disclosed for the purpose of board training. Typical devices are seen in U.S. Pat. No. 7,632,218, U.S. Pat. No. 7,614,987, U.S. Pat. No. 7,566,291, U.S. Pat. No. 4,509,743, U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,160. In general, these inventions include training boards with rotation inducing/balance training structures attached to the bottom surface of devices comprising a board; and training apparatus with rotation inducing/balance training arrangements attached to their underneath.

There is a need for a board training apparatus which accurately simulates rotation inducing/balance training in an exercise which requires the rider on the top surface of his board to mount the apparatus, provides realistic instability. The device is preferably economical, inexpensive, easy to manufacture, and simple for the user to learn balancing skills necessary to enjoy the sport without the difficult and time-consuming efforts to learn boarding in a chosen environment (e.g. the snow for snowboards; lake, bay or ocean for wakeboarding.)

As such, there is a need for a practical balance training device that accurately reflects the motions that are dealt with in an actual board ride, and effectively mimics the actual motions experienced by a rider of a board. Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a board sports trainer apparatus that finds general use in training participants of board sports, for example, surfboards, boogie boards, skateboards,—wakeboards, waterskate boards, scooters, skis, and the like; and particular use of the device for snowboard training or practicing.

SUMMARY

A board training apparatus comprising a platform which has a length, a width, a height, and an upper surface. A convexity is formed in the upper surface. The convexity has a base attached to the upper surface of the platform. The convexity has an upper apical region. In certain embodiments of the apparatus, the base of the convexity comprises pegs which detachably affix or attached into holes formed in the upper surface of the platform. The platform is embodied either as a solid monolith or as a hollow sized for containment of the detached convexity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a rider on a board balancing on the sport board training device.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the sport board training device.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the platform.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a convexity detached from the platform.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the platform.

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the device showing an embodiment in which the platform is hollow and the convexity is positioned for storage within the hollow.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the device taken along A-A perpendicular to the upper surface of the platform.

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the device

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of the device through B-B of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is an oblique view of the cross sectional view of FIG. 7

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a cut away rendering of the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention FIG. 1 is a training device 10 in which the rider of a sports board is required to simulate the motions of downhill snowboarding, skiing, waveboarding, skate boarding, and other board sports.

The balance training device 10 comprises a platform 15 with a balancing region or convexity 20 that can have variable shapes and dimensions with an apical region 25 that communicates with the board 30 , i.e. the board travels over the apical region 25 FIG. 2.

The device comprises a platform 15 which is adapted to support a convexity 20 having an apical region 25 which the board of the rider contacts and rides and requires the rider 30 to balance in a way which simulates riding on an intended surface or terrain, for example, snow (FIG. 2).

The device is formed from any non-resilient material, in most cases plastic, but may also be made of wood, aluminum, steel or other metals. The device may economically be fashioned and fabricated of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic through vacuum forming, rotational molding, injection molding, welding, or other methods of fabrication. Other materials, including but not limited to high density polyethylene are suitable for the construction of the device. So as to simulate boarding, the apical region 25 comprises material which minimizes friction between the bottom surface 30 of the board 35 the surface 27 of the apical region 25. Low friction materials known to those skilled in the art, include but are not limited to thermoplastics, such as nylon, HDPE and PTFE, ultra hard materials such as steel and ceramics, various metals, and varieties of carbon and or carbon-filmed materials.

In one embodiment the platform 15 has a substantially flat bottom surface 40, and an upper surface 45 which supports the diametrical base surface 50 of a convexity 55 having an apical region 25 adapted to communicate with the bottom surface 30 of the rider's board 35.

As disclosed below, embodiments of the device may comprise a plurality of pieces which when joined comprise the device of the invention; alternative embodiments comprise a unitary structure.

In one aspect, the apical region 25 of the convexity 55 functions as a fulcrum when the rider 60 causes the bottom surface of a board 35 to contact the apical region 25, which functionally provides a point of limited stability as well as simulated pitch and roll while the rider maneuvers the board over the convexity FIG. 1. The convexity 55 is joined to the upper surface 45 of the platform 15 at the convexity's diametrical plane 52. The convexity is made of non-resilient material.

In an embodiment of the device shown in FIGS. 2-11, the convexity 55 is removable from the upper surface 45 of the platform 15. It is seen that the upper surface of the platform 45 is planar. In the upper surface is formed a plurality of holes 65 positioned, sized, and shaped for reversibly mounting and engagement with pegs 70 positioned on the diametrical planar surface 50 of the convexity 55. A stable engagement in certain embodiments is achieved by friction fitting of the holes and pegs in register.

The convexity 55 is mounted in mated attachment on the upper surface 45 by means of registering and inserting pegs 70 or clips or mounting brackets into the holes 65 formed on the upper surface 45 of the platform 15.

When the holes 65 on the upper surface 45 are mated with the pegs 70 formed on the diametrical planar surface 50 of the convexity 55, the convexity projects above the upper surface 45 of the platform 15, resembling an oblong having rounded or curved edges FIG. 2.

When the device is not in use, the convexity 55 may be detached from the upper surface 45 of the platform 15 and stored within the hollow 75 of the platform 15. Tubular extensions 80 formed on the roof 85 of the hollow 75 are sized and shaped for friction mating with the pegs 70 of the convexity 55.

While not limited to these measurements as they are exemplary in nature, the width 17 of the base 16 of the platform 15 is about 19 cm. The upper surface 45 of the platform 15 as shown is about 10 cm wide. The height 17 of the platform is about 7-8 cm. The length 18 of the platform is about 94 cm. The height 28 above the upper surface of the platform of the apical region is about 6 cm.

For stabilizing the position of the device on the ground 90 against the forces caused by a rider bringing his board 35 into contact with the convexity 55, the device of the invention has a platform 15 having a base 16 comprising a bottom planar surface 21 for contacting the ground or stabilizing the platform on a ground surface. At rest or in use, the bottom surface 21 of the device is in contact with the ground. The base 16 is shaped to support and provide stability to the device. This can be accomplished by the base being weighted, and/or the base comprising sufficiently frictional material.

The upper surface 45 of the platform 15 comprises a convexity 55 or region of convexness. The upper surface of the convexness comprises an apical region 25

A snowboarder, for example, in practice, trains on the device by contacting the bottom surface of the snowboard to the apical region of the convexity, where the rider balances FIG. 2.

The convexness of the apical region 25 of the platform 15 comprises a curved or gradually sloped profile in at least one of the longitudinal or cross-sectional axes of the device. In certain embodiments, the convexity may be semi-spherically shaped, although the shape may be varied to elliptical geometries with varied diameters to either increase or decrease the slope changes which the user's board impacts when causing the board to contact the apical region.

The convexity (convex region) 55 of the device operates to provide the balancing function for the user. The convex region operates in relation to the bottom 30 of the board 35 as a fulcrum beneath the board. The responsiveness of the board to balancing adjustments is influenced by the size and shape of the fulcrum. An apical region 25 having a profile a portion of which has a spherical profile or spherical radius allows for full pitch and roll in every direction. Thus, when the rider mounts the device, he is challenged to retain the board on the fulcrum without the board displacing off of the fulcrum.

A hemispherical fulcrum allows for full pitch and roll. Hemispherical fulcrums are readily attached to the upper surface of the platform by affixing the diametrical plane of the hemispherical fulcrum to the top surface of the platform since the diametrical plane of the hemisphere offers a suitable attaching point.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, 4, the convexity 55 is oriented in the longitudinal axis 95 of an elongate platform, the central part 100 of the apical region 25 relatively flat, the lateral edges 105 being curved; in longitudinal section, the convexity's profile resembles the profile of a bread loaf.

Embodiments of the convexity's apical region (CAR) comprise varying sizes and shapes. Cross sectional views of the CAR could have varying sizes and shapes—e.g. oblong shaped. In certain embodiments, the CAR can encompass between about 15% and about 95% of the upper surface of the platform. Generally, regardless of the shape or size of the CAR, its height is not critical so long as it is high enough for a board to travel or ride over the CAR when a user is balancing thereon.

The CAR, in any case, is adapted to receive the lower surface 30 of, for example, a snowboard wherein the board rides over the contact region, i.e. the apical region. The apical region may encompass a few percent or up to 100% or even greater the length and/or surface of the platform.

In certain embodiments, the platform 15 is adapted for securing or mated attachment of the convexity 55 to the upper surface of the platform. While the shape of the platform can vary significantly, it is contemplated that common embodiments may range from flat to a complete sphere, or partial sphere.

The user maneuvers the board over the CAR. First, the user mounts his board, and causes it to mount the CAR where he balances the board on the CAR, maneuvering his weight to control the motion of the board FIG. 1.

The contact region may comprise an oval shape, a circular shape or a rectangular (bread loaf shape).

The RIDE

The board training apparatus 10 allows the user to slide and tilt the bottom surface of the board against the apical region while rotating the board thus simulating boarding technique, including edge or rail technique. The ride over the apical region allows the user to move laterally over the apical region, while allowing user to slide and tilt the board while rotating about, simulating various types of boarding, such as wakeboading, skateboarding, including downhill boarding, e.g. snowboarding, and skiing.

In practice, the rider on his board mounts the device in a movement which would be a thrust up and/or forward to obtain separation from the ground and lift. The user's board easily slides or rotates over the apical region as the material of the apical region offers little frictional resistance, thus simulating a low-fraction surface, such as snow. To dismount from the device, the user's movement would involve a lift back to the ground or slide off the side.

In operation, the apparatus is mounted by the user by contacting the bottom surface of the board with the surface (i.e. contact region) of the apical region. The device can be mounted when the user creates lift or upward range of movement while directing the board to land on the apical surface in any way.

The rider assumes a position upon the board in which the board is balanced upon the fulcrum with the bearing surface, i.e. contact region of the apical region. Once mounted, the user may make balancing adjustments, thereby changing the orientation of the board either in pitch (fore and aft) or in roll (side to side). These adjustments also change the curved or radial portion of the bearing surface of the apical region in contact with the snowboard. By a careful balancing re-adjustment, the user may return the board to the limited stability position, that is, with the board resting on the fulcrum of the apical region of the convexity.

It will be recognized that the diameter of, for example, a hemispherical convexity fulcrum will influence the nature of the pitch and roll experienced by user when using an apparatus according to the invention. The diameter of the diametrical plane 50 of the fulcrum can be as small as about 1 cm and range up to the width of the platform, or even extend beyond the width and/or length of the platform. Similarly, it should be recognized that the diameter of the surface of the convexity will influence the amount of stability experienced by the user

Use of the device improves balance for takeoff and landing of the board, whether for freestyle, conventional or competitive jumping.

In one embodiment of the board training apparatus, the convexity 55 is in mated attachment to the upper surface of the platform. The convexity is secured in place, its long axis in register with the long axis of the platform. In certain embodiments the convexity is detachable from the surface of the platform, in other embodiments, it is non-detachable.

The diametrical planar surface 50 of the convexity is affixed to the platform with suitable fasteners for example friction fitting between pegs 70 and holes formed in the upper surface of the platform; or clamps or hinges. The bottom surface of the convexity comprises a planar wall which mates and is attached permanently or removably attached to the planar upper surface of the platform.

It will also be recognized that as the rider becomes more skilled at operating the device, the convexity may be replaced with another embodiment of a convexity bearing apical regions with other dimensions and shapes, thus increasing the skill necessary to operate the apparatus.

It should be understood that the device of the present invention is well suited for conditioning, training and exercising for downhill skiing, as well as a variety of other balance and motion sports such as surfing, water skiing, skate boarding, wind surfing, wakeboarding, scooters, wakeskates, 

1. A board training apparatus comprising (a) a platform comprising a length, a width, a height, and an upper surface; (b) a convexity formed in said upper surface, said convexity comprising a base attached to the upper surface of said platform and an apical region
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said base is detachably attached to the upper surface of said platform.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein a said platform comprises a hollow sized for containment of said detached convexity.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein a said base is detachably attached to the roof of said hollow. 